We all know the players that have left our shores for better money or their final pay cheque in recent years.
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard are the high profile names plying their trade elsewhere after sterling service in the Premier League. However, British players have been earning a living abroad for decades. Here is a quick look at who went where, but not all are household names and not all enjoyed success..
The very first English footballer to play overseas goes back further than you think. In 1891, Herbert Kiplin began his journey in Italy by playing for FC Torinense. Not only did Kiplin play professionally in Italy until 1907, he was also a founding member, along with Alfred Edwards, of one of the most famous clubs in the world today – AC Milan.
John Charles – In 1957, Charles joined Juventus and became an instant hit. Nicknamed il Gigante Buono – Gentle Giant – Charles won three titles and two cups alongside being voted the best foreign player Juventus have ever had.
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Gerry Hitchens – After playing at Cardiff and Aston Villa, England international Hitchens joined Inter Milan in 1961. In an eight year career in Italy, Hitchens also played for Torino, Atalanta and Cagliari, but missed out on the ’66 World Cup squad because he wasn’t playing in England.
Denis Law – In 1961, Law joined Torino from Manchester City, but it never worked out and he was soon back in Manchester, but with United instead.
Jimmy Greaves – Joined AC Milan in 1961, but didn’t want to go. Another short lived experience, as Greaves was sold to Tottenham after a fall-out with the Italian club.
Rodney Marsh – In the early to mid-70s, it was fashionable to join the new American league – the NASL. Marsh and George Best made their way there, playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Los Angeles Aztecs respectively. Best also played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes.
Kevin Keegan – Another success story. Leaving Liverpool in 1977, Keegan joined Hamburg and although the early days for him were not the easiest (players were said not to be passing the ball to him) he became accepted and a cult hero. Two European Footballer Of The Year awards and runner-up in the European Cup in 1980 were his rewards for an exciting time in Germany. A move to Southampton followed before cult status in Newcastle later on.
Laurie Cunningham – Best remembered for his time at West Brom under Atkinson, Cunningham moved to Real Madrid in 1979 for £950,000. Although he won a domestic double, injuries took their toll. Having played for Sporting Gijon, Marseille and Rayo Vallecano, Cunningham died prematurely in Madrid in a car crash at the age of 33.
Italy seemed to be a popular destination for some in the early 1980’s with mixed results. David Platt joined Bari and was relegated in his first season. However, that didn’t stop him joining Juventus and later on Sampdoria.
This club would also welcome Trevor Francis and Graeme Souness, but it is the Milan clubs that enticed the British to try out the unforgiving Serie A. AC Milan employed the likes of Ray Wilkins, Luther Blissett – it is said, somewhat tongue in cheek, that AC thought they were signing John Barnes – and there was also Mark Hateley.
Inter signed Paul Ince from Manchester United in 1995 and Juventus took Ian Rush from Liverpool, only to loan him back to Liverpool for one season.Rush couldn’t settle and it is claimed that he said “It’s like living in a foreign country.” However, in his autobiography Rush says that this was a joke made up by Kenny Dalglish.
In France, Hoddle and Waddle shone along the south coast at Monaco under Wenger and at Marseille respectively. Both won titles ,with Waddle winning three consecutive league crowns and reaching the 1991 European Cup Final.
Spain was lucrative in 1986 for Gary Lineker, coached then by Terry Venables. Lineker enjoyed a superb career with Barcelona, winning the Cup Winners Cup and the Copa del Rey before he left for an injury plagued time in Japan with Grampus Eight.
Real Madrid signed David Beckham, Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Owen and Steve McManaman, though it was McManaman who enjoyed the more productive time there – winning two Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles. Remarkably it was said that Michael Owen left Liverpool to win trophies and the year after Owen left Anfield, the Reds won the Champions League!
Mark Hughes had a less than happy time at Barcelona after leaving Manchester United and was then sent out on loan to Bayern Munich. When that didn’t work out, Hughes returned to Old Trafford.
There are many more players that have played abroad – the likes of Liam Brady, Duncan McKenzie, Steve Archibald, Gazza, Les Ferdinand, who played in Turkey.
Going abroad is nothing new for British players. Our players have played all over the world, including the more recent Indian League. Now, though, it’s more about extending a playing career than enhancing one, as they slow down and, usually, there’s a final farewell involved with a cheque book.
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